Eagle Road not expected to fully open until Wednesday night after water main break

Drivers are urged to avoid Eagle Road between Fairview and Pine while crews work to repair the ruptured main.

Author:
KTVB

Published:
10:17 PM MST February 6, 2018

8:40 p.m. UPDATE: The Idaho Transportation Department says Eagle Road is open with limited access, and the speed limit is 25 mph. Another closure will take effect at 9 a.m. Wednesday as crews repave the road. Commuters are being advised to seek alternate routes.

MERIDIAN -- A stretch of Eagle Road remained fully closed for the evening commutes on Tuesday as crews worked to repair a water main break that flooded the street late Monday night.

The closed stretch of Eagle Road runs about three-quarters of a mile between Fairview Avenue and Pine Avenue.

Road crews have dug a trench 10 feet wide, 40 feet long, and eight feet deep to reach the broken pipe. Once the main is fixed, the Idaho Transportation Department said, crews will work to fill in the trench, remove broken asphalt around it, and repave the section of the road.

The closure was expected to create significant delays, especially during the morning and evening commutes. The Ada County Highway District said Eagle Road carries 54,038 trips a day, making it one of the highest-volume surface streets in Idaho.

ITD said crews were working to open limited access on Eagle Road by Tuesday evening after crews lay down gravel and build ramps on the edges of the pavement that have been removed. The speed limit would be reduced to 25 mph.

But even with limited access, ITD advises drivers to avoid the area, and that any access opened on Tuesday will be closed again at 9 a.m. Wednesday to allow crews to repave the road.

The road is expected to be fully open Wednesday evening, depending on the weather and the cure rate of the new asphalt.

Detours are in place, and access to area businesses remains open.

Water main break closes Eagle Road

Water main break on Eagle Road (Photo: Joe Parris/KTVB)

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Water main break on Eagle Road (Photo: Joe Parris/KTVB)

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It's unclear what caused the water main to rupture, police say. Officers responded at about 10:30 p.m. Monday after receiving multiple reports of water on Eagle Road.

Meridian Police Sgt. Brandon Frasier said responders quickly realized they had a significant issue on their hands.

"At its peak, there was a foot or more of standing water on Eagle Road in the northbound lanes," he said. "Some of the rises in the roadway were around a foot up or down and several motorists reported trouble driving through the area with changes on the roadway."

The Meridian Water Department said businesses and residents may see possible discoloration in the water when they turn on their taps this morning. Those in the area are asked to let their water run for a bit before using it.

The water is still safe to drink and use, the Meridian Water Department said.